The plans, which are to go before government this week, would partially reverse the changes made by a boundary committee in 2013.

The overarching structure of the local authority wouldn’t change though, as there would still be district and plenary councils.

Some have stated that the move could have a disproportionate effect on Independent and left leaning politicians.

Waterford Metropolitan Mayor Sean Reinhardt says he sees it as a form of gerrymandering to “keep the establishment parties at the top table.”

Fianna Fail’s Eamonn Quinlan says the system is working as it stands, and that the proposed changes would dive Waterford in two.

“When it comes to local democracy and government, we do need a diversity of opinion,” he says, “when you bring in a situation like what Minister Phelan is proposing, you will have councillors that will be solely responsible to rural and solely responsible to urban voters.”